Propellor thrust bearing

Abstract

A propeller thrust bearing assembly includes a spherical rolling bearing provided on a shaft and abutting against a shoulder, and a spherical thrust bearing, incorporating a shaft washer fitted on the shaft, a housing washer provided in a housing surrounding the shaft and a set of rolling bodies provided between the shaft washer and the housing washer. A spacing sleeve is provided between the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing, and a lid member is attached to the housing. The lid member is adapted to urge the housing washer against the set of rolling bodies and via the rolling bodies against the shaft washer. The axial distance between the two bearings is such that their force lines meet at a point situated on the center axis of the shaft. The spherical rolling bearing has a taper bore and is mounted on a withdrawal sleeve, and the spacing sleeve has internal threads and is screwed onto the withdrawal sleeve. A tubular member is arranged about the shaft and is adapted to keep the shaft washer pressed against the rear end of the spacing sleeve facing away from the spherical rolling bearing. The tubular member is secured in position by means of a locking nut screwed onto the threads of the shaft.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A propeller thrust bearing assembly comprising: a housing surrounding a shaft having a center axis, a spherical rolling bearing provided on the shaft and abutting against a shoulder provided on the shaft, a spherical thrust bearing comprised of a shaft washer fitted on the shaft, a housing washer provided in the housing, and a set of rolling bodies provided between the shaft washer and the housing washer, a spacing sleeve provided between the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing, a lid member mounted around the shaft and adapted to urge the housing washer against said set of rolling bodies and via the rolling bodies against the shaft washer, an axial distance between the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing being such that respective force lines meet at a point situated on the center axis of the shaft, the spherical rolling bearing having a taper bore and being mounted on a withdrawal sleeve that is positioned on the shaft, the spacing sleeve having internal threads and being screwed onto an external thread on the withdrawal sleeve, and including a tubular member arranged about the shaft to keep the shaft washer pressed against an end of the spacing sleeve facing away from the spherical rolling bearing, said tubular member being secured in position by a locking nut screwed onto threads of the shaft. 
     
     
       2. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the spacing sleeve has a rearmost end surface provided with recesses adapted to receive a gripping tool to rotate the spacing sleeve and axially move the spacing sleeve in either direction along the threads of the withdrawal sleeve. 
     
     
       3. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the shaft washer of the spherical thrust bearing is arranged on the shaft with a loose fit. 
     
     
       4. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  1 , wherein the shaft is completely smooth between the shoulder and shaft threads present on the shaft. 
     
     
       5. A propeller thrust bearing assembly comprising: 
       a spherical rolling bearing mounted on a shaft and abutting against a stop provided on the shaft;  
       a spherical thrust bearing comprised of a shaft washer fitted on the shaft, a housing washer, and a set of rolling bodies located between the shaft washer and the housing washer;  
       a spacing sleeve between the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing to space the spherical rolling bearing from the spherical thrust bearing, the spacing sleeve including an internal thread engaging a threaded portion on the shaft; and  
       a lid member adapted to axially urge the housing washer towards the set of rolling bodies.  
     
     
       6. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , including a locking nut mounted on the shaft to maintain the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing in position on the shaft. 
     
     
       7. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , wherein said threaded portion is formed on a withdrawal sleeve that is mounted on the shaft. 
     
     
       8. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  7 , wherein the spherical rolling bearing possesses a taper bore and is mounted on the withdrawal sleeve. 
     
     
       9. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the spherical rolling bearing possesses a taper bore and is mounted on a withdrawal sleeve that is positioned on the shaft. 
     
     
       10. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , including a tubular member arranged about the shaft to keep the shaft washer pressed against an end of the spacing sleeve facing away from the spherical rolling bearing, said tubular member being secured in position by a locking nut mounted on the shaft. 
     
     
       11. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  10 , wherein the locking nut threadably engages the shaft. 
     
     
       12. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the spacing sleeve has a rearmost end surface provided with recesses adapted to receive a gripping tool to rotate the spacing sleeve and axially move the spacing sleeve in either direction along the threaded portion. 
     
     
       13. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , including a housing surrounding the shaft, the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing being positioned within said housing. 
     
     
       14. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  13 , wherein the lid member is connected to the housing by connection means. 
     
     
       15. The propeller thrust bearing as claimed in claim  5 , wherein the spherical rolling bearing and the spherical thrust bearing are spaced apart by an axial distance such that respective force lines meet at a point situated on a center axis of the shaft.